Hi Kellogs, I moved to Auckland from Scotland in October 2008 so I have been here 9 months now. I have found the place much cleaner than the UK, weather in the spring/summer/autumn far better than in the UK, summer here from Dec 08 - Apr 09 was warm and pleasant. We certainly couldn't pick up the kids from school in Scotland and go straight to the beach, but that is what you have the option of doing here.

As everyone says, it is what you make of it yourseld. I have had low points and wondered what I'm doing here, but that is all part of the course of your move and would be the case no matter where you want to be.

My kids settled into school with no problems, no taunting about their Scottish accent (which would have been the case in reverse, kids from NZ moving to UK). Both my kids don't want to return to Scotland and enjoy the lifestyle they have here.

Yes, some of the houses are poor, but that is also the same as some of the UK housing estates, again it all depends on where you want to live and what you want to live in.

I am no worse off in terms of money here than I was in Scotland with both of us working full time. I think that's what you need to remember, life here is the same as there having to work etc.. It's not a life long holiday. But you have the benefit of better weather, an out door lifestyle and a safer environment for kids. As far as I am aware, there is no school in the UK which doesn't have gates and fences all around it like a cage. Here most of the schools are open. What does that tell you??

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

Astrajl